What You Need To Know About Cardiovascular Disease
Basics
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is synonymous with the term heart disease. CVD encompasses many diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels; hence, the name cardiovascular disease: "cardio-" meaning heart and "-vascular" meaning blood vessels. CVD includes diseases such as: coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and heart valve issues. Over the last decade, the death rate from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) has actually declined. Statistics indicate that from 1996 to 2006, there was a 36.4% decline in the death rate from CHD. However, from 2005 to 2007 cardiovascular disease still accounted for the highest number of deaths in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that over 1 million Americans will have a new or recurrent heart attack this year.
In the United States alone, millions of people suffer from one or more of many kinds of cardiovascular disease. These forms include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.
In 2008, 1 out of almost every 3 deaths was from cardiovascular disease. That is about 34.3%.
More than 2,500 Americans die from heart disease each day, equating to one death every 34 seconds.
CVD deaths occur equally among men and women, but vary greatly by socioeconomic status.
More than 75% of those with CVD are overweight or obese; 45% of these are obese.
45% of CVD individuals indicated no participation in physical activity of any kind.
More than 70 millions Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more than 6 million hospitalizations each year.
To this day, cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death around the world.
Causes
There are many things that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Coronary Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is caused by atherosclerosis, narrowing of arteries caused by plaque deposits. A heart attack occurs when the artery becomes completely blocked or if a plaque deposit breaks off and clogs the artery. A stroke happens in a similar fashion, but in the brain. Below are links that give great visuals and information on coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, arrhythmia, and treatment options.
at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
limit sodium intake to less than 2,000mg daily
Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day of the week.The physical activity should be strong enough that your respiration increases but you are still able to hold a conversation.
Maintain a healthy weight
Know what your blood pressure is, checking it at least three times when you get a high reading.
Find out if you have diabetes, and if you do, keep your blood glucose levels under control.
Know cholesterol and triglyceride levels and keep them under control.
There are many medications out there now that can stop or even help to prevent a heart attack. Depending on how soon treatment is sought and the severity of the heart attack, surgical repair may be necessary. Your doctor will run tests to see the function and health of your heart, which include laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and/or stress tests.
carrying out good hygiene habits (especially taking care of gums by regularly brushing and flossing)
getting a flu shot
For more information about these lifestyle choices, visit Mayo Clinic.
Complications Heart attacks are very serious and can be life-threatening. If you believe you are or someone you know is experiencing a heart attack, call 911. The more time that passes, the greater the damage to the heart and the greater risk of mortality.
Resources: Common Complications Typical Heart Attack Symptoms
Basics
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is synonymous with the term heart disease. CVD encompasses many diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels; hence, the name cardiovascular disease: "cardio-" meaning heart and "-vascular" meaning blood vessels. CVD includes diseases such as: coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and heart valve issues. Over the last decade, the death rate from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) has actually declined. Statistics indicate that from 1996 to 2006, there was a 36.4% decline in the death rate from CHD. However, from 2005 to 2007 cardiovascular disease still accounted for the highest number of deaths in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that over 1 million Americans will have a new or recurrent heart attack this year.Definition of Heart Disease (Mayo Clinic)
Statistics
In the United States alone, millions of people suffer from one or more of many kinds of cardiovascular disease. These forms include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.In 2008, 1 out of almost every 3 deaths was from cardiovascular disease. That is about 34.3%.
More than 2,500 Americans die from heart disease each day, equating to one death every 34 seconds.
CVD deaths occur equally among men and women, but vary greatly by socioeconomic status.
More than 75% of those with CVD are overweight or obese; 45% of these are obese.
45% of CVD individuals indicated no participation in physical activity of any kind.
More than 70 millions Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more than 6 million hospitalizations each year.
Causes
There are many things that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Coronary Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is caused by atherosclerosis, narrowing of arteries caused by plaque deposits. A heart attack occurs when the artery becomes completely blocked or if a plaque deposit breaks off and clogs the artery. A stroke happens in a similar fashion, but in the brain. Below are links that give great visuals and information on coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, arrhythmia, and treatment options.
Causes of Different Types of CVD
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease:
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Diabetes Mellitus and Pre-diabetes
Smoking
Previous heart attack or stroke
Physical inactivity, overweight, or obese
Uncontrolled Stress and Anger
High C-Reactive Protein
Post-Menopausal Women
Race: African Americans, American Indians and Mexican Americans are at greater risk
Gender: Men are more likely to have a heart attack than women
Family History: Having an immediate family member that has CVD increases risk
Unhealthy Diet
Resources:
Factors Causing Heart DiseaseRisk Factors and Overview
Heart Attack Risk Assessment ToolInfo-graphic: CDC Preventable Deaths from Heart Disease
Prevention
Preventative factors:
Abstain from tobacco use
Maintain a nutritious diet:
Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day of the week.The physical activity should be strong enough that your respiration increases but you are still able to hold a conversation.
Maintain a healthy weight
Know what your blood pressure is, checking it at least three times when you get a high reading.
Find out if you have diabetes, and if you do, keep your blood glucose levels under control.
Know cholesterol and triglyceride levels and keep them under control.
See more ways for Prevention and Control of heart disease.
Discover in more detail the process of Testing and Diagnosis of heart disease.
To create a free online account and Check your numbers.
Additional information on Nutrition and Health.
Symptoms
Angina - Chest pain or discomfort
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
Shortness of breath
Cold sweat
Nausea or vomiting
Picture Source: Symptoms and Signs of Heart Attack
If you are having any one of the above symptoms of a heart attack for more than 5 minutes, (Call 911) Seek emergency treatment without delay.
Treatment and Medications
There are many medications out there now that can stop or even help to prevent a heart attack. Depending on how soon treatment is sought and the severity of the heart attack, surgical repair may be necessary. Your doctor will run tests to see the function and health of your heart, which include laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and/or stress tests.
For more information, visit Treatment and DrugsElectrocardiograms: a simple, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity. Source: Merck Manuals
Alternately or in combination with medications, there are many lifestyle choices that can be made to improve or prevent heart disease. These include:
abstain from smoking
controlling your blood pressure
regularly checking your blood cholesterol levels (at least every 5 years)
If you have diabetes, maintaining good control over it
being physically active
eating a heart healthy diet -Ex: DASH diet
maintaining a healthy weight
practicing stress management
carrying out good hygiene habits (especially taking care of gums by regularly brushing and flossing)
getting a flu shot
For more information about these lifestyle choices, visit Mayo Clinic.
Complications
Heart attacks are very serious and can be life-threatening. If you believe you are or someone you know is experiencing a heart attack, call 911. The more time that passes, the greater the damage to the heart and the greater risk of mortality.
Resources:
Common Complications
Typical Heart Attack Symptoms
More Information on CVD
Learn more about cardiovascular disease at the following link:Random Facts and Interesting Trivia for the Curious Mind
More on CVD:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.TtUqR7JFunA
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html
Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms and Complications:
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/risk-factors-heart-disease
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/preventing-cardiovascular-diseases​.
Articles:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_04.pdf
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18.full.pdf
CVD animations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OAPXw9AHPE0